Civil-military leadership vows to ‘take tough decisions’ to fix ailing economy

The civil-military leadership has yet again reiterated their resolve to ensure the continuation of policies and take tough decisions to pull the country out of the economic crisis.
The pledge was expressed at an apex committee meeting of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) — a civil-military forum established to attract foreign investment.
The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and attended by former caretaker PM Anwaar Ul Haq Kakar, Army Chief General Asim Munir, members of outgoing and incoming federal cabinet, provincial chief ministers, and high-level government officials, according to an official statement issued following the huddle.
The apex committee underscored the need of continuing a consensual approach under SIFC to navigate the myriad of challenges being faced by the country.
The civil-military body also vowed to ensure continuation of policies and take tough decisions in the larger interest of the country by setting correct economic priorities.
Army Chief Gen Munir reassured the fullest support of Pakistan Armed Forces to backstop the economic initiatives of the government and ensured the provision of safe, secure and conducive environment to nurture the country’s true economic potential, according to the communique.
PM Shehbaz said that SIFC is the way forward under the challenging times and an iron resolve is needed to serve the country like never before.
He urged the federal cabinet to join hands, keep political differences aside, and work as a cohesive team to keep the momentum of economic stability.
He also thanked the caretaker government for continuation of larger national economic agenda in a “befitting manner”.
Marking a “historic moment of seamless transition,” the meeting was conducted with a singular focus of briefing the cabinet in the presence of the caretaker cabinet, the statement added.;
The apex committee was briefed about the SIFC initiative and major contributions made towards the investments, privatisation and overall micro-economic stabilisation of the country.
“The committee admired the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for envisioning and launching the SIFC in June 2023, which has now moved from its formative phase and evolved progressively under the caretaker government,” read the statement.
The former caretaker prime minister congratulated PM Shehbaz, cabinet members and chief ministers on assuming their responsibilities and wished them good luck for dealing with economic challenges and transforming Pakistan as one of the top economies of the world.